The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-10
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
General Averill Delivers an Address at a Com
federate Celebration at Stanton, Va.

STANTON, Va, June 9.-The largest crowd
ever seen in g. ,nton assembled to-day to wit
ness the celeb of the Confederate Memo
rial Association le chief attraction was the
presence of Gen. w. Averll, of New York,
the orator OF the occasion. The column was .
mile long, consisting of military and civic organ
izations, etc. In carriage drawn b. four black
horses rode Governor Lee and General Averili,
and as they passed they were frequently
cheered. After the parade, speaking took place
in the opera house. which was crowded to suffo'
cation. In introducing General Averillt
Gov.rnor Lee referred to their long acquaint
ance. beginning when both were boys al
West Point and to their subsequent association
in the old army. Their commands had met face
to face in battle during the war that followed
and he prepared to testify that no drawer
men conten6ed either side than the troopa
commanded by that gallant officer, whose war
fare was upon men, and not upon hepesa
women and children. In closing the Governol
referred to the obliteration of sectional lines
and the reunion of the people, as shown 10y thG
presence of federal general joining with South
ern veterans in honorine confederate dead.
General Averill was greeted with ringing ap-
plause as he stepped forward, and from time to
time during his speech he was enthusiastically
cheered. Among other things General Averili
said: Where once outposts and pickets were to
guard my command against brave and per-
sistent enemy, l stand alone welcome guest
I thank God and you for the changed conditions.
I have experienced every vicissitude of war, in
GLIDING being killed. for have been half killed
twice. but of all the triumphs I have ever en-
joyed, this victory of peace to day is tho grand
est and most satisfactory
The speaker sketched the campaigns of his
division during the war: touched upon the re-
suits of the war and the valor aud chivalry OF
the South, and related anecdote of President
Lincoln at the time of the latters visit to the
Army of the Potomac, opposite Fredericksburg.
1863 In the course of an interview with the
from Gen. Fitzhugh Lee in regard to the wound
ed of the latters command The speaker con-
tinued follws: Then he asked, Were you
and General Lee friendsP
sCertainly." said |; always had been
".What would happen he asked, should you
meet tie batte-feldP
lone or both of US would be badly hurt or
killed. said: obliged to be, Mr.. President
"He leaned that pic suresque and mourDful
face on his hand. and after pause SAID with
emotion oh, my God, what dreadful thing 10
a war like this where personal friends must STAY
each other, and die as friends
Il told him that undoubtedly Lee thought he
was doing his duty. and knew that was doing
mine.
".Yes' said DIR. Lincoln, understand your
feelings but there many who would think
that YOU ought TO hate each other Finally he
said: General Averill, l wish you would give me
this letter of Lees
.s.Surely; take it. Mr.. President replied
and have been told by one of his biographers
time, and would frequently show *"
Brief addresses were made by General limbo
den, Mr.. Mccall, of New York and Mr. Nc
Carthy, Of Richmond. Both General Gordon Of
Georgia. and Jackson, of Tennessee. were ex.
pected, but neither came.